Depression and Anxiety

Having IBS raises your risk for depression and anxiety. One reason is the stress of living with an illness. Stress can bring on mental health problems.

Changes inside your gut may also affect your brain through chemical messages. And it’s a two-way street. Having depression or anxiety may affect your gut health.

What You Can Do

These steps can help you take care of both your gut and your brain:

Learn ways to keep stress in check. You might meditate, take deep breaths or listen to relaxing music.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Get plenty of fiber.

Ask your health care provider if you should limit certain foods. You may need to cut back on foods with hard-to-digest carbs.

Tell your health care provider if you’re having gut symptoms. At times, you may be referred to a specialist called a gastroenterologist. If depression or anxiety is an issue, a mental health professional can help.